Bookworm

Well, here it is, I can't believe its my first technical "slash" fic! It wasn't originally, but as soon as I wrote it, I realized that its totally preslash! But its cute and fluffy! It was originally meant as a drabble for my beautiful muse 0oraeraeo0 that turned out a bit longer.

Title:BookwormRating: PGPairing: William Moseley/Skandar KeynesWarnings: Here be what we affectionately term..."preslash" :)Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, just love 'em! =DSummary: Will learns not to interrupt Skan while he's reading....the hard way.

Dedication: I would be completely stupid not to dedicate this to my muse 0oraeraeo0!!!! She is absolutely amazing, sharing all my loves in this fandom. I don't know where I would be without her, she is the who sparked all the writing that is going to come from me in this fandom. Besides, it was her prompt word "book" that sparked this little drabble-turned-ficlet. :):)

If there was one thing a person learned, it was to never disturb Skandar while he was reading. Most of the cast and crew understood this well, for although he was the craziest of them all, Skandar was in fact- a bookworm. Will had learned this the hard way.

Of course, Will was also the only one who knew how to pacify Skandar when his temper had been riled...

*****

Will stood hidden behind the doorframe, watching silently, taking in the sight of his costar curled up in the big comfy chair of their apartment. Skan's face was almost completely covered by the huge book his nose was buried in. The dark-haired boy had his feet tucked beneath his small frame, and Will was sure that if the chair were any bigger, it would swallow Skan up entirely. He shook his head. Now was not the time to stand staring, he grinned. With the book covering his vision, Skandar never saw Will coming...until it was too late.

*SLAM*

“ARGH!!!” Skandar jumped up from the chair, clutching his nose, which had been in the book when Will slammed it shut. Will watched the younger boy dance around the room in pain, tears leaking from his eyes despite his best efforts. The blonde hadn’t meant to hurt him; it had only been a silly prank!

Skandar turned angry wet eyes on Will, advancing swiftly towards him. Will had never seen Skandar look so angry before, the deep brown hue of his eyes had changed to almost black. He gulped, eyes glancing towards the door, before he made a beeline for it. Skandar had read his mind, and blocked the way before Will could get out. He glared at Will, who could not look away from those angry dark eyes.

“What the HELL is the matter with you?!” Skandar ground out, voice rising slightly. He stalked forward, and Will walked backwards on instinct. They only stopped when Will’s back hit the bookcase at the far end of the room.

“Skan common it was just a joke! I didn’t mean to hurt you!” Will responded, trying to pacify his costar. Skandar would have none of it though. He pointed his finger at Will, hitting the blonde in the chest with every word.

“I…was…reading! Don’t you have ANY sense at all?!” Will gulped, staring at Skandar. He took in the blazing eyes, the still wet tears from earlier, and the bright red nose. As much as he tried not to, Will couldn’t help but giggle; Skandar’s anger didn’t have nearly as much effect when he looked like a Rudolph-in-training.

Of course, his laughter only served to anger Skandar even more. He shoved Will into the bookshelf, winding the taller boy, and grabbed him tightly by the collar of his shirt. Will wheezed, though his eyes betrayed his laughter still. Of course, Will was taller and stronger than Skandar; he could have easily protected himself under normal circumstances. But, Will realized, Skandar with a temper was a different force all together.

“What are you on about Will!?!?” Skandar practically yelled, shaking Will by his collar for emphasis. Will’s head hit the bookshelf with every shake. Feeling a little lightheaded, the blonde did the only thing he could think of: he leaned in quickly and pressed a quick kiss to Skandar’s bright-red button nose.

Skandar’s anger dissipated immediately, to be replaced with complete shock.

“What!?...what was that for?!” he asked, looking extremely confused. Will leaned forward, taking a chance, and softly wiped the two tear trails from Skandar’s freckled cheeks. Skandar blushed, tingeing his cheeks a flushing pink that seemed to follow Will’s fingers.

“It was only a joke Skan; I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Will whispered, eyes serious. Skandar moved back, crossing his arms indignantly in an attempt to reground himself.

“And just why should I believe you?” he asked angrily. Will looked at him, rather upset that Skandar thought he actually meant to hurt him.

“What can I do to make you believe me Skan?” he asked quietly. He glanced quickly down at the floor, missing the playful smile gracing Skandar’s face. Skandar put a finger to his lips, making an effort to look like he was thinking deeply.

“Well, I guess you’ll just have to stay here and read to me every night…” Will started to protest, but Skandar held up his hand. “…for two weeks.”

“Oh come on Skan it didn’t hurt that much! You can’t do this to me!” But Skan shook his head, crossing his arms again. Will looked at him, eyes pleading.

“Do you want to redeem yourself or not? Because everyone knows not to interrupt me while I’m reading. Besides, it’s not my fault you forgot that little piece of information…” Skan stated bluntly. Will hung his head, knowing that he’d rather suffer than face weeks without Skan acknowledging his presence. Slowly, he nodded, feeling as though it were his own death sentence. Read aloud? Every night? For two weeks? What could possibly be more boring?!

Skan interrupted his thoughts, picking up his book, and handing it to Will, opened to the right page. Will glanced at the book then at Skandar in shock.

“Romeo and Juliet?!?! Are you serious?” he squeaked. Skandar grinned at the pitch of Will’s voice, nodding. The older boy opened his mouth to protest again, but Skandar wiggled a finger in his face, before pointing to the chair. Will sat on the chair Skan had recently vacated, and waited for Skan to settle in next to him- it really was a big chair. Sighing, Will began to read;

Benvolio. ”At this same ancient feast of Capulet's Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so lov'st; with all the admired beauties of Verona. Go thither; and, with unattainted eye, Compare her face with some that I shall show, And I will make thee think thy swan a crow.”

Will found his excitement picking up as he continued reading, becoming fascinated by the text. He paused, glancing at Skandar, who grinned at him, nudging him to continue. The dark-haired boy leaned in, following the words as Will read them aloud. The minutes ticked away. Halfway through scene III William felt Skandar’s head slip onto his shoulder. He glanced down at the movement; Skandar’s face was relaxed, his eyes closed, long lashes gracefully kissing his freckled cheekbones. Will chuckled softly, transferring the book to one hand, and moved his other arm to wrap around Skandar’s shoulders, hand caressing the teen’s raven-dark locks. Will’s voice was softer as he continued reading, arm pulling Skandar closer as the words spilled from his lips;

“And what obscured in this fair volume liesFind written in the margin of his eyes.This precious book of love, this unbound lover,To beautify him, only lacks a cover.So shall you share all that he doth possess,By having him making yourself no less."

He only made it through six more lines before Skandar’s breathing evened out completely. Will smiled gently, quietly placing the book on the table near the chair. He settled back, making himself comfortable, and wrapped his other arm around Skandar’s sleeping form. It was going to be a long night…

*****

If there was one thing he had learned, it was to never disturb Skandar while the boy was reading. He had learned this the hard way; but you know what?, Sometimes learning the hard way, can be the best thing in the world. Those two weeks had passed quickly, and Will came to look forward to those nights. Now, two months later, the memory still made William smile. He grinned, carefully closing Huckleberry Finn and laying it on the table next to the big comfy chair. He looked down at Skandar, asleep in his lap, head resting peacefully against Will’s chest. Will smiled fondly, watching the soft rise and fall of Skandar’s chest as he breathed, and gently wrapped his arms around him. He settled in, as he had done many nights before, eyes slipping shut as he joined the younger boy in slumber.